Essendon officials are tonight contemplating whether to appeal the severity of a two-match suspension handed out to star full forward Matthew Lloyd. Lloyd was given the two-week ban after pleading guilty to a charge of striking Carlton's Simon Fletcher. In handing down the sentence, tribunal chairman Brian Collis said his panel had deemed Lloyd had struck Fletcher with ""some force"". He said they had also taken into account the fact that Lloyd has already been suspended on one occasion this season for unduly rough play.

Umpire Shane McInerney reported Lloyd after he clashed with Fletcher during the third quarter of last weekend's match. McInerney told the tribunal that Lloyd had made forceful contact to the left side of Fletcher's head. He said he had no hesitation in citing Lloyd for striking. In his evidence to the tribunal, Fletcher said he had felt contact to the back of his head but that it had not been forceful and he took no harm from the contact.

Lloyd agreed he had made contact with Fletcher but told the tribunal it was was a result of intially trying to smother the ball and then trying to fend off Fletcher to prevent him running on to receive a handball. The tribunal was told that Lloyd had opted to plead guilty, conceding he had made high contact with Fletcher.

In summing up, players' advocate Iain Findlay asked the tribunal that Lloyd receive no more than a week's suspension. He said the fact that Lloyd was a ball player with an excellent record should count in his favor. The tribunal did not agree and handed out a two-week suspension.

Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said the club was considering an appeal. ""We will have another look at it and make a decision tomorrow morning,"" Drain said.

If the suspension stands Lloyd now has a minimum of four games and a maximum of six games to reach the 100-goal target in consecutive seasons. Lloyd has 83-goals to this stage of the season. He will miss the Bombers next two matches against Sydney and Collingwood before returning for the Bombers match against West Coast.